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This article was published 03/12/2018 (2476 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Built on a foundation of empowerment and compassion, Thrive Community Support Circle has been changing lives in the West End for 45 years.
Danielle Giesbrecht is a shining example of the profound impact the small resource centre can have.
“Thrive has actually saved my life,” she said. “They picked me up, they gave me wings and I’ve just been soaring ever since.”
Giesbrecht lost her son unexpectedly in 2016 and came to Thrive last September for grief counselling. In a little over a year, she has gone from the depths of depression to working a full-time job at Thrive’s thrift shop and sharing her story publicly in an effort to help others.
“As much as it hurts to tell my story, I know I’ve done a lot of good out there,” she said.
“That’s why I come to work every day,” Thrive executive director Rhonda Elias-Penner said of Giesbrecht’s transformation.
On Nov. 22, the organization celebrated its 45th anniversary with a reception hosted by Lieutenant Governor Janice Filmon at Government House.
Thrive — then called Pregnancy Distress Services and later known as Pregnancy & Family Support Services — was founded by Louise and Dr. Paul Adams as a crisis phone line for pregnant women in 1973.
Several years later, the couple expanded their services to include pre- and post-natal supports for young mothers and in 2017 the organization rebranded to Thrive — a holistic support centre that offers everything from free counselling, to child care to emergency food for more than 10,000 families and individuals each year.
“It’s not just about supporting the child or the parents, it’s about supporting the whole family and having their basic needs met,” Elias-Penner said.
While Louise passed away in 2011, Paul and several of their children were able to attend the anniversary event last month.
“That was really wonderful to be able to honour the work and the legacy that his wife created and the involvement that they still have,” Elias-Penner said, adding that she made sure to get Dr. Adams blessing before last year’s name change.
Today, Thrive runs a therapy centre, licensed daycare, thrift shop and community resource centre at three sites clustered around the intersection of Spence Street and Sargent Avenue.
In the 10 years Elias-Penner has been working for the non-profit she has seen the staff grow from seven to 22 paid employees and the programs offered expanded tenfold. She also continues to see a steady increase in the number of people accessing Thrive’s services.
“It means that there’s still a need,” she said. “More needs to be done… in how we handle social issues at the government level.”
Regardless of where someone’s contact with Thrive begins, staff are trained to help clients access other services that might benefit them. This is on full-display in the daycare, where many families are newcomers to Canada.
“We try to be a safe place here because we might be the only people they know in Canada,” daycare director Jessica Smith said. “If we see a need we’re going to fill in the gap.”
At the thrift shop, volunteers gain essential job skills and are given opportunities to take on leadership roles. Mikaelle Silva started volunteering at the store to fill a gap in her resume and is now responsible for training and mentoring other volunteers.
“Never did I think I would be leader or a mentor,” said Silva, who will be starting a job at Thrive’s resource centre shortly. “Everyone here has been amazing and has helped me boost my confidence, I’m really happy that I found this place.”
Visit thrivecommunitysupportcircle.com to find out about all of Thrive’s services.
Built on a foundation of empowerment and compassion, Thrive Community Support Circle has been changing lives in the West End for 45 years.
Danielle Giesbrecht is a shining example of the profound impact the small resource centre can have.
Supplied photo
Thrive Community Support Circle executive director Rhonda Elias-Penner and
Dr. Paul Adams, who co-founded the organization with his wife Louise in 1973, at the centre’s 45th anniversary celebration at Government House on Nov. 22.
“Thrive has actually saved my life,” she said. “They picked me up, they gave me wings and I’ve just been soaring ever since.”
Giesbrecht lost her son unexpectedly in 2016 and came to Thrive last September for grief counselling. In a little over a year, she has gone from the depths of depression to working a full-time job at Thrive’s thrift shop and sharing her story publicly in an effort to help others.
“As much as it hurts to tell my story, I know I’ve done a lot of good out there,” she said.
“That’s why I come to work every day,” Thrive executive director Rhonda Elias-Penner said of Giesbrecht’s transformation.
On Nov. 22, the organization celebrated its 45th anniversary with a reception hosted by Lieutenant Governor Janice Filmon at Government House.
Thrive — then called Pregnancy Distress Services and later known as Pregnancy & Family Support Services — was founded by Louise and Dr. Paul Adams as a crisis phone line for pregnant women in 1973.
Several years later, the couple expanded their services to include pre- and post-natal supports for young mothers and in 2017 the organization rebranded to Thrive — a holistic support centre that offers everything from free counselling, to child care to emergency food for more than 10,000 families and individuals each year.
Eva Wasney
Thrive Community Support Circle thrift shop volunteer Rupinder Ramgotra and staff member Mikaelle Silva.
“It’s not just about supporting the child or the parents, it’s about supporting the whole family and having their basic needs met,” Elias-Penner said.
While Louise passed away in 2011, Paul and several of their children were able to attend the anniversary event last month.
“That was really wonderful to be able to honour the work and the legacy that his wife created and the involvement that they still have,” Elias-Penner said, adding that she made sure to get Dr. Adams blessing before last year’s name change.
Today, Thrive runs a therapy centre, licensed daycare, thrift shop and community resource centre at three sites clustered around the intersection of Spence Street and Sargent Avenue.
In the 10 years Elias-Penner has been working for the non-profit she has seen the staff grow from seven to 22 paid employees and the programs offered expanded tenfold. She also continues to see a steady increase in the number of people accessing Thrive’s services.
“It means that there’s still a need,” she said. “More needs to be done… in how we handle social issues at the government level.”
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Regardless of where someone’s contact with Thrive begins, staff are trained to help clients access other services that might benefit them. This is on full-display in the daycare, where many families are newcomers to Canada.
Eva Wasney
Thrive Community Support Circle daycare director Jessica Smith.
“We try to be a safe place here because we might be the only people they know in Canada,” daycare director Jessica Smith said. “If we see a need we’re going to fill in the gap.”
At the thrift shop, volunteers gain essential job skills and are given opportunities to take on leadership roles. Mikaelle Silva started volunteering at the store to fill a gap in her resume and is now responsible for training and mentoring other volunteers.
“Never did I think I would be leader or a mentor,” said Silva, who will be starting a job at Thrive’s resource centre shortly. “Everyone here has been amazing and has helped me boost my confidence, I’m really happy that I found this place.”
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